Many interesting developments have happened quite recently, from the drastic decrease in costs of home recording and music equipment in general to the increase in popularity of house concerts to combat the ever increasing taxation and fees places on clubs and restaurants. For more about this check out David Byrne's "How Music Works"- although I can't say I'm a fan of his music in general, his ideas about the industry and artistry are great food for thought, and feel very timely.

In my opinion, the greatest investment someone can make in my music isn't their money, but their time. It takes over half an hour to listen to my solo piano record, and generally five or so minutes to listen to an average length jazz song. I am sad to admit that I sometimes pay $9.99 for an album online or $20 for a CD and barely scratch the surface of listening to it. When I was younger I had to work hard to save for a single album, so even if it was less than stellar I listened to it endlessly to get my money's worth. I think I learned just as much from deciding I didn't like a song I had heard several times as I did from discovering that one was growing on me.

While I appreciate it immensely when people buy my music or hire me to play somewhere, it's the comments from people who were really listening that really move me and keep me going.